Preferred Hotels & Resorts, the world’s largest independent hotel brand with over 600 luxury hotels, resorts, and residences across 80+ countries, has announced a series of exciting new developments. These include a significant expansion in India, the growth of its prestigious Legend Collection, and the launch of a new Travel Advisor Portal to better support the global travel trade. With a continued focus on delivering luxury, personalisation, and sustainability, the brand is solidifying its position as a leader in the independent hotel space.
India continues to be a key market for Preferred Hotels & Resorts, and 2024 marked a significant year of growth. Under the leadership of Saurabh Rai, Executive Vice President for South Asia, Middle East & Africa, the brand has appointed key personnel to bolster its operations in the region. Preferred Hotels & Resorts now boasts an impressive portfolio of 26 member hotels across India, including 11 from its longstanding partner, The Leela Palaces, Hotels & Resorts—celebrating 16 years of collaboration. In 2024, five new Indian properties joined the portfolio: The Leela Gandhinagar, two Aurika Hotels & Resorts (Udaipur and Mumbai), The Resort Mumbai, and Kinwani House by Aalia Collection in Rishikesh. These additions align with the brand’s commitment to curating innovative, high-end experiences for discerning Indian travellers.
Globally, Preferred Hotels & Resorts continues its momentum with the opening of over 80 new member properties in 2024, marking the brand’s strongest year of growth since 2019. Noteworthy new hotels include Al Habtoor Palace Dubai (Legend Collection), Hotel Mousai Cancun (Mexico), AJWA Cappadocia (Turkey), and Farol Hotel in Cascais, Portugal.
Several high-profile openings are set for late 2024 and 2025. These include Peter Island Resort (Legend Collection) in the British Virgin Islands; and The Newman in London, which will feature extensive wellness facilities. Also joining the portfolio are Royal Hideaway Corales Villas in Tenerife, ÓROS Luxury Beach Resort in Crete, and Romègas Hotel in Valletta, Malta.
Preferred’s prestigious Legend Collection, known for its iconic luxury properties, now includes over 100 hotels. New additions for 2025 include Armani Hotel Milano, Al Habtoor Palace Budapest, and Andronis Luxury Suites in Santorini.
A standout moment for the Legend Collection is the strategic partnership with Virgin Limited Edition, bringing ultra-luxury retreats such as Necker Island (BVI), Mont Rochelle (South Africa), and Son Bunyola Hotel & Villas (Spain) into the fold.
To complement the growth of its elite portfolio, Preferred Hotels & Resorts launched the Live Like a Legend campaign in late 2024. This exclusive series of experiences showcases luxury at its finest, from “The Ultimate Londoner” experience at The Londoner to bespoke coastal and wellness journeys in California and Montana. These curated escapes offer world-class hospitality, personalised service, and unforgettable stays in some of the world’s most sought-after destinations.
The brand has also introduced a state-of-the-art Travel Advisor Portal, streamlining the booking process and offering agents priority access to its 600+ luxury properties. The portal allows advisors to view rate quotes, manage bookings, and access exclusive offers and resources, including insights on the I Prefer Hotel Rewards programme and sustainability credentials.
Preferred Platinum agents benefit from enhanced features such as Small Social Group Requests for up to 15 rooms, giving them the tools to deliver exceptional experiences for their clients.
Under its parent company, Preferred Travel Group, the eco-conscious brand Beyond Green continues to expand its portfolio of sustainable luxury properties. With over 50 members across 22 countries, Beyond Green prioritises three key pillars: environmentally sound practices, cultural preservation, and social responsibility.
New additions include ARTEM Asturias (Spain), ENVI Sisini Serengeti (Tanzania), and Dromoland Castle Hotel (Ireland). In India, sustainable members such as The Leela Palace Bengaluru, The Leela Palace Udaipur, and Suryagarh in Jaisalmer are leading the charge with renewable energy use, water conservation, and community-focused initiatives.
Beyond Green has also deepened its partnership with andBeyond, adding 23 new eco-lodges and camps, including Punakha River Lodge (Bhutan) and Ngala Tented Camp (South Africa). These additions align with Preferred’s wider Climate Action Plan, which targets a 50 per cent reduction in emissions by 2030 and net zero by 2050.